Dharwad peda is a sweet delicacy unique to the state of Karnataka. It originated from Dharwad which is in north Karnataka. Dharwad peda is rich brown in colour unlike the traditional pedas made with khoya. Like any other peda, the main ingredient of Dharwad peda is milk.

Making this delightful sweet at home is like a dream-come-true for me. I prefer Dharwad peda over traditional pedas any day. I have tried it in several ways and this recipe has worked the best.

Dharwad peda was originally started by the Thakur family who had migrated from Uttar Pradesh to Dharwad in early 19th Century. Ram Ratan Singh Thakur, a first generation confectioner, started producing and selling pedas locally. Dharwad peda was prepared from the milk of Dharwadi buffaloes which are raised by the Gavali community in and around Dharwad. His grandson Babu Singh Thakur helped grow the family business further in their Line Bazaar store and the peda came to also be called locally as the “Line Bazaar Peda”. The family closely guards the recipe of the Peda as a trade secret which has been passing down the lineage. Babusingh Thakur’s single outlet store that was running for a few decades expanded later in Dharwad, Hubli, Bangalore and Haveri.

This unique, grainy, crumbly, mildly sweet peda is something you don’t want to miss. And don’t worry, the main ingredient to make this delicious peda is patience. As long as it is there, the pedas will turn out amazing.